Slavery Timeline 1901-2003

A Chronology of Slavery, Abolition, and Emancipation

WARNING! Page Under Construction!

Some useful information may be available, but there are large gaps

This page will, over time, develop into a detailed timeline of the main historical, literary, and cultural events connected with British slavery, abolition, and emancipation between 1901 and the present day. It also includes references to the most significant events taking place outside of the British zone of influence. At the start of the twentieth century Britain, despite being the world's largest empire, was officially opposed to slavery wherever it could be found. In reality, other forms of coerced labour had emerged around the world. In many areas slavery remained - and remains to this day - a serious problem. Click on a date in the list below, or scroll down the page, for information. Links are given to pages on this website only. For my sources and for further reading, look at the page Further Reading: Slavery, Abolition, and Emancipation.

10 December 1948: General Assembly of the United Nations adopts Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 4 states: 'No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.'